Alycat wakes up with the dreaded Monday Blues and is certain that nothing will go right. But when a mishap sends her astray, she discovers that helping a friend will help her discover her own hidden talent—curing her Monday Blues.

Our Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani & Son

I have two kids and we know all about the Monday Blues. After a fun weekend at home, it's hard to go back to school. My kids are teens now and they still experience the Monday Blues. Both my son and I thought this was a great topic to address in children's literature. He's always experienced anxiety regarding school.

Alycat is adorable. She is worried because she doesn't have a talent for the talent show and this weighs on her mind. But then she helps out another classmate with his talent and she discovers her talent. Music is a big part of a child's life and I'm glad the author incorporated this in the story. Music can uplift one's spirits and most kids can relate to Alycat's problem. The words of the song address this, showing children that what may seem like a bad situation can be turned around.

The illustrations by Chiara Civati are fun and bright. Children who love cats will enjoy the cute faces of the different types of kitties that represent well the different nationalities one may find in a classroom. The song included in the book has a funky blues beat that can be downloaded using the card that comes with the book. We listened to the song and thought it was fun and upbeat, making this a fun addition to the book.

Alycat and the Monday Blues is the second book of a new series that promises to be fun and educational for children. It's a perfect book to add to the library of daycares and early elementary classes.

Alysson Foti Bourque is the author of the Rhyme or ReasonTravel series, and the multi-award winning Alycat series. Alysson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a law degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. She believes that there is an Alycat in all of us, encouraging our imaginations to guide us through new opportunities and adventures. ​